When can I add livestock?

[bosscrab]

Levels have been fine for 4 days. Salinity is a little high .026. When can I add clean up crew. Already see some tiny snails.

[crvz]

I think your salinity is fine, I keep mine in that range. How old is the tank? If the ammonia and nitrite is registering zero, I'd be comfortable adding a couple of snails and crabs.

[bosscrab]

Set it up on monday. Everything is at zero. Even had it tested at LFS. So snails should be ok?

[skeety]

ditto. I keep my salinity at 1.026

I personally say when your nitrates have hit zero and stay there for 4-7 days, I think you're safe.

Just start slow. Every critter you add will cause in increase in bio-load, and essentially cause a mini-cycle. Hopefully so small you won't notice. But if you go and dump in 10 fish and 100+ cleanup critters...it'll definitely be a noticable (and probably detrimental) cycle.

That said...you should be save to add some cleanup crew and a fish or two.

Plan your fish additions VERY carefully though. Some fish, once added, won't take kindly to new additions later down the road (damsels, some clowns, a few tangs, etc). SO make sure you know what you want to add in the long run, and add the more docile critters first!

Good luck, and look forward to pics of the new additions!!!

[Casey]

sounds to soon for it to cycle,did you use cured rock and how did you set it up?

[skeety]

also...the ONLY downfall of keeping your salinity at 1.026 (which is what i think it SHOULD be at)...is that most LFS's keep their's MUCH lower (1.021 most of the time).

This means you should acclimate the new additions very carefully and patiently. JMO.

[bosscrab]

Originally Posted by Casey

sounds to soon for it to cycle,did you use cured rock and how did you set it up?

Rock was from a tank that had been up for over a year. Not sure what you mean by how is it set up. here how it is setup. Still need 40# or so but might be a month before that.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...b/DSCF1441.jpg

[betamed]

looks good. If you can add all your rock before adding any live stock it would be a good idea. adding more rock will likely cause another small cycle.

[skeety]

you could always cure the additional LR in a rubbermaid tub. Just need some water movement and a heater.

[Geoff]

if the LR has been already cured in another tank then you should be fine. i would give it another week just to be sure, since it takes about a week for some critters to die without food. if they LR had been moved and environments changed you will inevitably get some die off.

G~

[Casey]

ok you should be fine then just add stuff slowly

[bosscrab]

[Loverotties]

I'd waite till you put all the rock in.